OUGD504 // Studio Brief 04: Study Task 13

Print Finishes

Definition:
Finishing is a process applied to a design’s substrate, or surface, that can provide your work with a specific look and feel, add decorative elements, alter its shape and size or provide functionality and presentation enhancements. Finishes can transform an ordinary design into something much more interesting and unique.

production methods
digital preparations
costs
potential uses
include your own visual example.

Varnishes

A varnish is a colourless coating that can both protect the substrate from wear-and-tear and enhance the look/feel of a design, with a glossy, dull or satin finish. An example is magazine covers.

• Gloss — typically used to enhances photographs
• Matte (or dull) — helps improve readability; most used in the interior pages of publications
• Satin or silk — the middleman between gloss and matte; not too glossy, not too dull
• Neutral — used to protect the substrate without the appearance of the varnish
• UV varnish — provides more shine than typical varnish; applied with an ultraviolet light
• Full-bleed UV — very high gloss effect; most common
• Spot UV — enhances specific parts of a design; can create a variety in texture
• Textured spot UV – creates a specific texture; ie: leather, rubber, etc.
• Pearlescent — provides more of a “luxurious effect”

Die Cut

Die cutting is when the shape of the paper is altered or areas are cut out to enhance the visual purpose of the design. Often die cuts are used to see beyond a page and onto the proceeding one.

Embossing and Debossing

Embossing (above the surface) and debossing (below the surface) is a stamping technique in which particular elements are three-dimensional and textured. This technique can be accomplished with or without (blind) the use of ink or foil.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping, which is the process of pressing colored foil onto a substrate with a heated die, can add texture and elegance to a design. It can also be used as a mirror to show reflections adding to the overall effect of a printed piece.

Fore-edge printing

Printing technique applied to the outside edges of a publication that can give the appearance of color, display words, or create texture (ie: gold or silver).